Houma-Thibodaux area under severe-thunderstorm watch

Published: Monday, April 2, 2012 at 10:41 a.m.

Last Modified: Monday, April 2, 2012 at 10:41 a.m.

Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes, and most of Louisiana, are under a severe-thunderstorm watch until 5 p.m. today, according to the National Weather Service.

Ken Graham, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service office in Slidell, said that the biggest threats are the winds, which are expected to be anywhere from 40 to 60 mph, some hail and a lot of lightning.

Graham recommends residents look out for possible tornadoes and be ready for the Weather Service to issue a warning if the strong storms develop today as expected.

"A watch basically means just that, to watch out, but when we see something bad we immediately send out a warning in three seconds," he said. "So everyone should keep a radio nearby. That's really the best way to hear a warning, even in your sleep because it's loud."

Meteorologists at the National Weather Service are urging everyone to stay inside, away from trees and to not go out on boats.

<p>Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes, and most of Louisiana, are under a severe-thunderstorm watch until 5 p.m. today, according to the National Weather Service.</p><p>Ken Graham, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service office in Slidell, said that the biggest threats are the winds, which are expected to be anywhere from 40 to 60 mph, some hail and a lot of lightning.</p><p>Graham recommends residents look out for possible tornadoes and be ready for the Weather Service to issue a warning if the strong storms develop today as expected. </p><p>"A watch basically means just that, to watch out, but when we see something bad we immediately send out a warning in three seconds," he said. "So everyone should keep a radio nearby. That's really the best way to hear a warning, even in your sleep because it's loud." </p><p>Meteorologists at the National Weather Service are urging everyone to stay inside, away from trees and to not go out on boats.</p>